Baden-style Alfajor de Medina Sidonia

Ingredients

In this Baden-style adaptation, we incorporate the flavors and ingredients commonly found in Baden cuisine. The traditional Spanish alfajor is transformed by using a rich almond shortbread cookie instead of the usual wheat-based cookie. The cherry jam filling pays homage to the famous Black Forest cake, a beloved dessert from the Baden region. The addition of whipped cream adds a creamy element, reminiscent of the popular Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest cake). Finally, the Alfajor de Medina Sidonia is coated in a dark chocolate ganache, which adds a touch of sophistication and richness to the dessert. We alse have the original recipe for Alfajor de Medina Sidonia, so you can check it out.

• 200g (1 ¾ cups) ground almonds 200g (1 ¾ cups) ground almonds
• 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar
• 150g (1 ¼ cups) all-purpose flour 150g (1 ¼ cups) all-purpose flour
• 150g (⅔ cup) unsalted butter, softened 150g (⅔ cup) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ tsp almond extract ½ tsp almond extract
• 200g (7 oz) cherry jam 200g (7 oz) cherry jam
• 200ml (¾ cup) heavy cream 200ml (¾ cup) heavy cream
• 200g (7 oz) dark chocolate, chopped 200g (7 oz) dark chocolate, chopped
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Nutrition

• Calories: 320 kcal / 1340 kJ
• Fat: 20g (Saturated Fat: 9g)
• Carbohydrates: 30g (Sugars: 15g)
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a mixing bowl, combine the ground almonds, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, softened butter, and almond extract. Mix until a dough forms.
2. 2.
   Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each portion into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. 3.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. 4.
   Roll out one portion of the dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about ½ cm (¼ inch). Use a round cookie cutter to cut out cookies and transfer them to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough.
5. 5.
   Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
6. 6.
   Once the cookies have cooled, spread a teaspoon of cherry jam onto the bottom side of one cookie. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and sandwich with another cookie. Repeat with the remaining cookies.
7. 7.
   In a heatproof bowl, melt the dark chocolate and vegetable oil together over a double boiler or in the microwave, stirring until smooth.
8. 8.
   Dip each sandwiched cookie halfway into the melted chocolate, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the coated cookies on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until the chocolate has set.
9. 9.
   Serve the Baden-style Alfajor de Medina Sidonia chilled and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almonds — Make sure to use ground almonds for the cookie dough to achieve the desired texture. You can grind whole almonds in a food processor until finely ground.
• Cherry jam — Opt for a high-quality cherry jam with a good balance of sweetness and tartness for the best flavor.
• Dark chocolate — Choose a dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa solids for a rich and intense chocolate coating.

Tips & Tricks

• For a twist, you can add a splash of Kirsch (cherry brandy) to the whipped cream for an extra burst of flavor.
• If you prefer a sweeter cookie, you can dust the finished Alfajores with powdered sugar before serving.
• Experiment with different flavors of jam, such as raspberry or blackberry, to customize the filling to your liking.
• To save time, you can use store-bought almond flour instead of grinding your own almonds.
• If you're short on time, you can use pre-made shortbread cookies instead of making the almond shortbread from scratch.

Serving advice

Serve the Baden-style Alfajor de Medina Sidonia chilled to enhance the flavors and textures. Dust with powdered sugar for an elegant touch before serving.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Alfajores on a platter, garnished with fresh cherries or mint leaves for a visually appealing presentation. Serve alongside a cup of coffee or tea for a perfect pairing.